squadron once again deployed aboard USS George Washington to the Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor and Operation Southern Watch. In February 1998, the squadron deployed for the "Around the World", maiden deployment of , again supporting Operation Southern Watch in Iraq. Upon return to the United States in December 1998, they relocated from NAS Cecil Field, Florida, to NAS Oceana, Virginia. 2000s On 11 September 2001, the squadron was underway aboard off the Virginia Capes. Within hours of the September 11 attacks, armed squadron Hornets were conducting air patrols over Washington D.C. and New York City as part of Operation Noble Eagle. In February 2002, the squadron deployed to the North Arabian Sea to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), flying combat sorties over Afghanistan. From January to July 2004, VFA-131 deployed aboard USS George Washington in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron deployed from October 2006 to June 2007 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in support of OIF, OEF, and operations in Somalia. 2010s Between June and December 2016 the squadron deployed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower with Carrier Air Wing Three in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, flying combat missions in Iraq and Syria. On 22 September 2017, VFA-131 flew the F/A-18C Hornet for the last time at NAS Oceana, before transitioning to the F/A-18E Super Hornet, a process that at the time was expected to finish by 2019. 2020s From January to August 2020 VFA-131 was embarked on board USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN-69) in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. VFA-131 flew combat missions into Afghanistan, provide armed overwatch for Strait of Hormuz transits, and conducted other missions in the 5th Fleet AOR. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, VFA-131 remained embarked for the duration of the deployment. Squadron Insignia and Nickname The squadron’s insignia, featuring the head of a wildcat, was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 26 January 1984. See also List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons References Strike fighter squadrons of the United States Navy Military units and formations established in 1983